Press Release # 1

Issued on: Monday June 18, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.

“Flash Flood Watch”

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is advising the public that based on the Flood Watch issued by the National Meteorological Service, Key National Response personnel and Parish Disaster Coordinators have been notified of the status of rainfall over the past three days and expected precipitation into tonight and tomorrow. They have been placed on alert in the event the National Meteorological Service moves to a warning.

The Met Service has advised that showers and thunderstorms could be heavy at times affecting especially eastern parishes. Frequently flooded Communities such as:

Boundbrook, Swift River, Fellowship in Portland, Annotto Bay, Broadgate, and Port Maria in St. Mary, Trinityville, Hagley’s Gap, and Yallah in St. Thomas, New Haven, Seaview Gardens, Bull Bay and Harbour view in Kingston and St. Andrew could experience heavy rainfall and thunderstorms which could cause flooding of gullies, rivers and streams, urban areas, streets as well as other drainage areas and low lying locations.

Community Disaster Response teams in St Mary, Portland, St Thomas and Kingston and St. Andrew have also been notified.

The public is further being advised to continue monitoring the radio for further advisories and to avoid areas that are at risk from flooding and landslides. Also take the following precautions in the event of heavy rains:

1.Be ready to evacuate if you live in low-lying or flood-prone areas. Decide on likely evacuation routes now.

2.Avoid flooded waterways, i.e. Fording, gullies, streams or rivers, either on foot or in vehicles.

3.Avoid driving your vehicle into areas where the water covers the roadway. The water depth may be too great to allow your vehicle to cross safely.

The ODPEM will continue to monitor the situation and activate the operational response team if necessary.

Tel: 399-1627